Taser-wielding granny’s family lawyer reveals there’s ‘much more’ to the story as her estate sues the NSW government: ‘It’s important to keep an open mind’
- Estate of Clare Nowland is suing the New South Wales government
- Circumstances surrounding Tasering are still being investigated
The tragic circumstances that led to the Tasering of a frail great-grandmother who later died are still being investigated, her family’s lawyer said.
“I suspect there is a lot more to this incident,” Sam Tierney told Nine’s Today on Wednesday.
“It’s a very unique set of circumstances.”
Clare Nowland’s estate is suing the New South Wales government after the 95-year-old woman died a week after receiving an electric shock at a Cooma nursing home in May.
The tragic circumstances that led to the tasering of a frail great-grandmother who later died are still being investigated, her family’s attorney said (pictured, Sam Tierney).
Ms Nowland, who suffered from dementia and weighed 43 kilograms, was confronted by police while using a walker and holding a steak knife.
They tasered her and she fell, hitting her head on the ground, and died a week later.
“We still don’t know the full circumstances of what happened in this tragic incident,” Tierney said.
‘There have been many reports of various matters that, you know, may or may not turn out to be accurate.
We are still investigating those matters.
“I think it’s very important that the public also keep in mind, from the family’s standpoint, that these tragic circumstances are still being investigated.”
The family launched civil proceedings against the New South Wales government in Bega District Court on Tuesday.
“Behind all of this is a family that has lost a beloved grandmother … but I don’t think anyone would have faced a situation as unique as this,” Tierney said.
“While the family certainly appreciates the support, they are going through a grieving process separate from all of these court proceedings.
The estate of Clare Nowland (pictured) is suing the New South Wales government after the 95-year-old woman died a week after receiving an electric shock at a Cooma care home in May.
The lawsuit comes a week after lead constable Kristian White (pictured) appeared at Cooma Court Local Court via video link.
“I think it’s fair to say that certainly all of us who have gone through the unfortunate circumstance of losing a grandparent are well aware of the pain that comes with it and I certainly believe that the family is going through that process.
“But I don’t think anyone would have faced a situation as unique as this in terms of losing a grandparent.”
The lawsuit comes a week after lead constable Kristian White appeared in Cooma Court Local Court via video link charged with recklessly causing grievous bodily harm, assault causing actual bodily harm and common assault.
Tierney said the family “does not want to disrupt anything that is happening in the criminal proceedings involving Kristian White.”
He has yet to plead guilty and the matter will return to court on September 6.
The civil case has been adjourned until August 24.
“At the moment, the proceedings have been adjourned for a short period of time until August and the civil proceedings will continue,” Tierney said.
